Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are considered a commercially viable solution for global organic waste problems. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of rearing BSFL on a wide range of low-value waste streams and its potential to transform them into high-quality animal feed and fertilizer. Six waste streams of different origins were selected and each tested in triplicate. Several parameters were analysed: growth performance, waste reduction index (WRI), conversion efficiency (ECI) and larval composition. Frass composition was also analysed. Larvae reared on fast food waste (FFW) had the highest ECI and WRI and the lowest values when reared on pig manure slurry mixed with silage grass (PMLSG) and slaughter waste (SW). The highest protein content was found for larvae reared on mushroom stems (MS) although this substrate had the lowest protein content. Moreover, the frass nutritional profile was proportionally related to the substrate’s nutritional profile: the protein-rich substrate (SW) resulted in protein-rich frass and the low-protein substrate (MS) resulted in protein-poor frass. The same was true for the lipid content. In conclusion, this study showed that BSFL can be successfully reared on a wide range of waste streams that can affect the larval and frass chemical compositions.
http://www.eje.cz Morales-Ramos et al. (2011) formulate an optimal composition of the diet for larvae of T. molitor based on choice tests. This diet consists of 80% wheat bran and 20% potato fl akes (60% carbohydrates, 32% protein and 8% fat) and results in optimal larval growth. However, when larvae are not given a choice, different diets result in optimal growth. The optimum no-choice diet consists of 90% wheat bran and 10% potato fl akes (64% carbohydrates, 29% protein and 7% fat) (Morales-Ramos et al., 2011). Further optimization resulted in an increase in adult fecundity, but no improvement in food utilization effi ciency, growth, development time or survival during the larval stage. The requirement for protein is confi rmed by both Oonincx et al. (2015) and van Broekhoven et al. (2015). They show that larvae have higher survival rates and shorter development times when fed high protein diets (> 20%). Several studies provide a more in-depth assessment of the nutritional The effects of the particle size of four different feeds on the larval growth of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
The artificial diet of Tenebrio molitor has been a focal point of many studies that aimed to design the best diet combination. Recently, studies are focusing on the use of by-products and their efficiency as diets for rearing T. molitor. The rearing was successful on a wide range of by-products-based diets. The feed has a profound impact on the lifespan, growth, productivity and nutritional composition of T. molitor. Productivity is one of the traits highly influenced by the diet’s composition, especially macronutrients. This work aims to study the effect of eight different diets on the weight and productivity of females and their progeny weight: larval weight. Wheat bran, brewer’s yeast, spent grain and bread remains were used to compose the diets, based on different inclusion percentages of each by-product. The nutritional composition, mainly the macronutrients, of the diets had a narrow range of differences. The diets were designed in a way to avoid the effect of different nutritional compositions and study the effect of the by-products type only. Results showed that the female’s weight-change during the egg-laying period was not significant under different rearing diets. Moreover, the female’s productivity measured by the larval number showed no significant difference between the different diets. However, the total larval biomass (452.4 mg) was significantly higher for larvae reared on diet A composed of wheat bran and brewer’s yeast. Also, the total mean larval weight was significantly higher for larvae reared on diets A (3.1 mg) and G (3.2 mg) composed of wheat bran, brewer’s yeast and spent grain. The mentioned diets although composed of different by-products have similar amounts of protein and carbohydrates. These results prove that the type of by-products included in the experimental diets does not affect the reproductive performance of T. molitor, while it can affect larval growth.
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